Functional Electrical Stimulation of Laryngeal Muscles in Horses
Author Information
Author(s): Cheetham Jon, Regner Abby, Jarvis Jonathan C., Priest David, Sanders Ira, Soderholm Leo V., Mitchell Lisa M., Ducharme Norm G.
Primary Institution: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
Hypothesis
Can direct muscle stimulation maintain airway patency during strenuous exercise in horses with induced transient conduction block of the laryngeal motor nerve?
Conclusion
Intra-muscular stimulation of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle can maintain airway patency during strenuous exercise in horses with induced laryngeal paralysis.
Supporting Evidence
- Stimulation significantly improved arytenoid abduction at all levels of exercise intensity.
- Rheobase and chronaxie were within the normal range for innervated muscle.
- Functional electrical stimulation did not produce signs of discomfort or pain in any horse.
Takeaway
The study tested if stimulating a muscle in horses can help them breathe better when they are exercising hard, and it worked well.
Methodology
Six adult horses were instrumented with a bipolar electrode in the PCA muscle, and electrical stimulation was tested during exercise.
Limitations
The study was limited to a small sample size of horses and focused on a specific muscle group.
Participant Demographics
Adult horses aged 6-19 years, weighing 436-530 kg.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.0037
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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